CBI to appeal against acquittal of 7 in Bilkis case

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday said it would appeal against the acquittal of seven persons in the Bilkis gangrape-cum-murder case, which took place during the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002.

Expressing satisfaction over the life sentence to 11 people in the case, CBI Director Vijay Shanker told reporters that the agency was awaiting the copy of the judgment.

"We will go in for appeal against those acquitted in the case," Shanker added.

Eleven persons were sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court on Monday for their involvement in the case while another was sent to jail for three years.

Seven were acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence, while one died during the course of the trial.